Section 10-502 - Bigamy. - Maryland Statutes

§ 10-502. Bigamy.
 

(a)  Scope of section.- This section does not apply to a person if: 

(1) the person's previous lawful spouse has been absent from the person for a continuous period of 7 years; and 

(2) the person does not know whether the person's previous lawful spouse is living at the time of the subsequent marriage ceremony. 

(b)  Prohibited.- While lawfully married to a living person, a person may not enter into a marriage ceremony with another. 

(c)  Penalty.- A person who violates this section is guilty of the felony of bigamy and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 9 years. 

(d)  Charging document.- An indictment or warrant for bigamy is sufficient if it substantially states: 
 

"(name of defendant) on (date), in (county), having a living spouse, feloniously entered into a marriage ceremony with (name of subsequent spouse), in violation of § 10-502 of the Criminal Law Article, against the peace, government, and dignity of the State.". 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 27, §§ 18, 19; 2002, ch. 26, § 2.]